Lebanon, Israel hold new round of direct talks in Rome
A US state department official said this week's discussions would include expanding the pilot zone process, resolving border issues, and working on a peace and security agreement.
Lebanon and Israel are set to commence a new round of US-sponsored direct talks in Rome on Tuesday, aiming to finalize a framework deal that includes Hezbollah's disarmament, a phased Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese army to designated pilot zones. The talks, which began after Hezbollah's involvement in the Middle East war in March, have seen over 4,300 deaths according to Lebanon.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has stated that his country seeks successive Israeli withdrawals from Lebanese territory, while the US ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa cautioned against rushing the process, urging both sides to reach a clear and workable process. Despite a decrease in violence since the deal and the US-Iran agreement, intermittent Israeli strikes and shelling continue in Southern Lebanon.
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